Making a down payment for the future of our cities

An agenda for Budget 2026 to improve the quality of life in urban India

- Arunabha Ghosh

The budget must tackle urban dust at its source by steering the construction sector, poised to exceed $2 trillion, towards cleaner practices.

(RAJK RAJ/HT PHOTO)

Over the past decade, the Union and state governments have rightly focused on building the hard arteries of growth: Expanding the allocation for the national highway network by ten times, growing the metro rail system by four times, rolling out smart meters, strengthening power grids, and adding massive renewable energy capacity. But infrastructure alone does not make great cities.

That said, to truly unlock urban India’s potential — to attract global talent, spur innovation, and secure a competitive edge — the country must now build the vital organs of its urban swathes: the systems that deliver clean air, safe water, circular waste management, and climate resilience. It is imperative, therefore, that the Union Budget for the coming financial year signals a decisive turn from building city infrastructure to making a significant deposit towards creating vibrant cities that thrive and attract the best.